Method of treating benign hypertrophy of the prostate

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient with benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising providing a compressible attenuation device that is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration and attenuating a pressure change within the bladder by reversibly changing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure change. In one embodiment, the attenuation device is advanced transurethrally into the bladder. In another embodiment, the attenuation device is positioned within the bladder to inhibit a decrease in compliance of the bladder wall as a consequence of the benign hypertrophy of the prostate.

1. A method of minimizing symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising:
 providing a compressible attenuation device which is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration; 
 introducing the attenuation device into the bladder while in the first configuration; 
 transforming the attenuation device within the bladder to the second configuration; and 
 attenuating an increase in pressure within the bladder by reversibly reducing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure; and 
 wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 5%. 
 
   
   
     2. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the introducing step comprises transurethrally introducing the attenuation device into the bladder. 
   
   
     3. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the transforming step comprises at least partially inflating the attenuation device. 
   
   
     4. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the transforming step comprises permitting the attenuation device to transform under its own bias. 
   
   
     5. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the reduction in volume is responsive to the increase in pressure. 
   
   
     6. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the attenuation device comprises a compressible wall. 
   
   
     7. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the attenuation of any increases in pressure within the bladder provides therapeutic benefits after the attenuation device is removed. 
   
   
     8. A method as in  claim 1 , wherein the compressible attenuation device is conformable to the shape of the bladder. 
   
   
     9. A method of minimizing symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising:
 providing a compressible attenuation device which is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration; 
 introducing the attenuation device into the bladder while in the first configuration; 
 transforming the attenuation device within the bladder to the second configuration; and 
 attenuating an increase in pressure within the bladder by reversibly reducing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure; and 
 wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 10%. 
 
   
   
     10. A method of minimizing symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising:
 providing a compressible attenuation device which is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration; 
 introducing the attenuation device into the bladder while in the first configuration; 
 transforming the attenuation device within the bladder to the second configuration; and 
 attenuating an increase in pressure within the bladder by reversibly reducing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure; and 
 wherein the attenuating step comprises reducing the volume of the attenuation device by at least about 25%. 
 
   
   
     11. A method of minimizing symptoms of benign hypertrophy of the prostate, comprising:
 providing a compressible attenuation device which is moveable from a first, introduction configuration to a second, implanted configuration; 
 introducing the attenuation device into the bladder while in the first configuration; 
 transforming the attenuation device within the bladder to the second configuration; and 
 attenuating an increase in pressure within the bladder by reversibly reducing the volume of the attenuation device in response to the pressure; and 
 wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 60 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 40cm H 2 O. 
 
   
   
     12. A method as in  claim 11 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 80 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 50cm H 2 O. 
   
   
     13. A method as in  claim 12 , wherein an intravesical pressure spike which would have been at least about 140 cm H 2 O without the attenuation device is maintained by the attenuation device at no more than about 60cm H 2 O. 
   
   
     14. A method of maintaining bladder pressure comprising positioning a compressible storage device completely within the bladder of a patient, the storage device not fluidly communicating with a location outside the bladder after deployment, accumulating bladder pressure with the compressible storage device and subsequently returning the energy to the bladder; and
 wherein the returning the energy step comprises returning the energy to produce a substantially constant fluid flow into the urethra. 
 
   
   
     15. A method as in  claim 14 , further comprises tethering the device to the anatomy of the patient. 
   
   
     16. A method as in  claim 15 , further comprising tethering the compressible storage device to the urethra.